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Microsoft on Monday announced two new Surface models - Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 - along with a portfolio of new Surface accessories, available from Oct. 22.

Surface 2 (Surface RT successor) and Surface Pro 2 each benefit from updates, including improvements to processing power and battery life, to display and camera resolution, and to the Kickstand, now with dual angles. Enhancements in Windows RT 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro make Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 even more powerful and customizable.

Microsoft is offering buyers of either device free Skype calling to landlines in more than 60 countries for one year, unlimited Skype WiFi on their Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 at more than 2 million hot spots worldwide for one year, and 200 GB of free SkyDrive storage for two years.

Surface 2 is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor and has an increasing battery life to up to 10 hours for video playback. The 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD display now renders 1080p video and its full-size USB port has been upgraded to USB 3.0. Camera resolution has also increased, with a 3.5-megapixel front camera and 5-megapixel rear camera, both capable of capturing 1080p video and featuring improved low-light performance. Even with these and other upgrades, Surface 2 is slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor.

Surface 2 will ship with Windows RT 8.1, bringing improvements in key areas such as personalization, search, multitasking, built-in apps, the Windows Store experience and cloud connectivity. The new Xbox Music allows you to stream millions of songs for free, and an updated Video app and games from the Windows Store will ensure that you never run out of ways to play. Surface 2 is also pre-loaded with Microsoft Office 2013 RT - including Outlook RT; simply click in a Touch or Type Cover and get to work.

Surface 2 is available in 32GB and 64GB configurations and it will start at $449.

Surface Pro 2 is the successor to Surface Pro and, like its predecessor, is a laptop replacement, capable of running virtually all your Windows software including the full Microsoft Office suite, as well as apps from the Windows Store. Surface Pro 2 offers the portability of a tablet when you want it and the power of a laptop when you need it. It is powered by a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor which, combined with other improvements, delivers increased performance and up to 60 percent longer battery life than Surface Pro.

Starting at $899, Surface Pro 2 will be offered in 64GB and 128GB configurations with 4 GB of RAM and 256GB and 512GB configurations with 8 GB of RAM.

The Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 will be available at Microsoft retail stores and select third-party retailers in 22 initial markets. Those markets include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the U.S. on Oct. 22 and China in early November. Availability in additional markets will follow.

You can preorder Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 starting at 11 a.m. PT on Sept. 24 at Microsoft Stores, and Best Buy in the U.S. and Canada, as well as select retailers in most Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 launch markets.

New Accessories

Microsoft also announced seven new accessories:

- Touch Cover 2. Thinner and lighter than the original Touch Cover, measuring only 2.75 mm thin, Touch Cover 2 features backlit keys for even better readability. Touch Cover 2 is more rigid, registers keystrokes with greater accuracy and features updated sensors that support a variety of gestures across the entire keyboard. Touch Cover 2 has an estimated retail price of $119.99. It will be available for pre-order on Sept. 24 in all markets where Surface devices are available for pre-order.

- Type Cover 2. Type Cover 2 features the same lightweight design of the original Type Cover, but it's now backlit and will be available in Cyan, Magenta, Purple and Black in the coming months. It's also more rigid and is designed to be quieter when striking keys. Type Cover 2 will have an estimated retail price of $129.99. It will be available for pre-order on Sept. 24 in all markets where Surface devices are available for pre-order.

- Power Cover. Power Cover delivers the typing experience you get with Type Cover while extending the battery life of your Surface 2, Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 by up to 50 percent. Power Cover will have an estimated retail price of $199.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.

- Docking Station for Surface Pro. The Docking Station for Surface Pro lets you connect Surface Pro and Surface Pro 2 to desktop PC peripherals in a single step, taking you from laptop to desktop in an instant. While Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2 is docked, it can connect with an external monitor, Ethernet, speakers and power supply. PC peripherals connect via its one USB 3.0 port and three USB 2.0 ports. The Docking Station for Surface Pro will have an estimated retail price of $199.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.

- Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers. The Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers connects magnetically to any Touch or Type Cover, letting you type from anywhere in the room using Bluetooth technology, so it is even easier to connect Surface to a TV or monitor and type from another location, such as the couch. Wireless Adapter for Typing Covers will have an estimated retail price of $59.99. It will be available for pre-order in the U.S. and Canada beginning Sept. 24.

- Car Charger with USB. Car Charger plugs into most cars' power or lighter ports and charges Surface without the need for an additional adapter. It also features a USB port to allow simultaneous charging of a phone or other device. Car Charger will have an estimated retail price of $49.99 and has a projected release date of early 2014.

- Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition. This special-edition Arc Touch Mouse has been updated to match the look of Surface. It connects via Bluetooth 3.0, freeing Surface's USB port for use by other devices. Arc Touch Mouse Surface Edition will have an estimated retail price of $69.99 and will be available for pre-order in the U.S. and Canada on Sept. 24.

Finally, for you music fans, Microsoft announced the Surface Remix Project and a new purpose-built music kit that clicks into Surface 2, Surface Pro, and Surface Pro 2 and works with a new music remix app. Microsoft will be sharing these with the music community and DJs starting October 22nd. If you are an aspiring DJ, go to SurfaceRemixProject.com.